Consider the Cost
In Luke 1, both Mary and Zacharias received a visitation from an angel of God, with a message. The question that often comes to mind when reading this story is what did that message require of or cost each of them. As I mature in my faith, this becomes a more difficult question to answer. On the surface, what was required of Mary seemed much more costly. Zacharias was actually seeing the fruition of prayers that had gone unfulfilled up to now. However, think about the cost of those prayers coming to fruition at this point in time. Sometimes when we receive an answer to prayer that seems delayed in our own mind, we struggle to accept that the timing is right or that we are ready. As well, the magnitude of this promise, and how it signalled the coming of the Messiah, which would not only affect Zacharias but also the nation of Israel, is more than one would process in a few minutes. On the surface, it looks like Zacharias has to just receive the miraculous answer to prayer. However, deeper than that is the need to reconcile the timing and the impact.
The cost/requirement for Mary is altogether different. The message required that she give up everything – her body, her reputation, possibly her life if she gets into the wrong hands as being pregnant before marriage is a stoning offence. It seems more straightforward and such a large cost to her.
However, over the years, I have come to recognize, that each person’s walk has its own costs and they are so very different and dependent on context that they cannot even be compared.
What “costs” or requirements are you walking through in your own life? Be encouraged, God is not judging your response based on the responses of those around you. He is loving you right where you are in the midst of what He is asking you to do. What an encouragement for us today!
Thank you for sharing Laurie. I needed encouragement today as I am caring for my 92 year old Mom who has dementia. It’s good to be reminded that the Lord knows the cost and is loving me in the midst of care giving on a full time basis.
Caregiving requires a very special kind of person with a special kind of heart. Know the Jesus loves you in the midst. You are demonstrating His care and His love for your mom, through your caregiving!